Real Madrid eases past Arandina to reach Copa del Rey last 16

Arandina fought hard in the first half but Joselu put Madrid ahead with a penalty early in the second, with Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes expanding Madrid’s lead later.

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates after the match. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Reigning champion Real Madrid secured its place in the Copa del Rey last 16 with a 3-1 win at fourth-tier Arandina on Saturday.

The minnows fought hard in the first half but Joselu put Madrid ahead with a penalty early in the second, with Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes expanding Madrid’s lead later.

Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez put through his own net in stoppage time to give Arandina a consolation goal which delighted supporters at their packed 6,000-capacity El Montecillo stadium.

Arandina frustrated Madrid in a surprisingly even first half in the province of Castile and Leon, north of the Spanish capital. Carlo Ancelotti started Eduardo Camavinga, returning after a knee ligament injury which saw him miss nearly two months.

Otherwise the Italian largely deployed a combination of reserve and youth players, handing Turkish playmaker Arda Guler his first appearance since joining Madrid this summer from Fenerbahce.

Guler came closer than anyone to scoring in the first half, striking the post with a rasping free-kick and playing with freedom.

Madrid took the lead from the spot early in the second half after the excellent Diaz was tripped by Zazu as he ran into the area, with Joselu dispatching a firm, low penalty.

Diaz added the second moments later after the ball broke loose to him and he fired it home across Arandina goalkeeper Adrian Alvarez. Joselu missed a good chance to extend Madrid’s lead further before substitute Rodrygo stroked in the third in stoppage time from Diaz’s cross.

Arandina got the goal their performance deserved at the death when Nacho deflected Raly Cabral’s cross into his own net.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid progressed with a 3-1 win at third-tier Lugo after Memphis Depay struck twice, while Real Betis were knocked out in a 1-0 defeat by Alaves. Surprise La Liga title challenger Girona beat second division side Elche 2-0.